Knowing the principles of lighting will help you choose the right modifier for the desired look.

You can achieve the same look with different beauty dish sizes just by changing the distance from the subject.

A large umbrella can be a great source of light for lower cost.

Joel photographs a model with three different modifiers, starting with the beauty dish in this lesson, to compare the results each one produces.

The light modifier comparison continues with the 5 foot Octa.

The modifier comparison wraps up with a look at the 7 foot umbrella.

Using a three light setup Joel demonstrates how he produces a high key look.

Joel demonstrates a super clean beauty shot with three lights and a new model.

The three light setup is slightly modified to create a full body shot that could later be cut out of the background and used in a composite.

Joel starts by opening the photo as a smart object to maintain editing flexibility.

This is a technique designed to maintain detail in the skin.

This step of the process is all about removing any flaws in the skin.

Dodging and burning is an underrated technique, but a really important part of Joel's retouching process.

The last step in the process is to determine the final levels of the tones on the skin.

Joel demonstrates the retouching steps for achieving his signature high key look.

A composite combines a photo of a model shot in studio with an interesting background taken at a completely different location.

Adding shadows and shading is one of the most important aspects of "selling the fake" and making the final composite more believable.

There are a few atmospheric effects you can add to really help pull it all together.